Cruz explains what he meant by Trump's 'New York values'

Everyone knew it was coming: Ted Cruz vs. Donald Trump on "New York values." And Cruz came ready with the message that the Manhattan real estate mogul wasn't a true conservative.

The Texas senator was asked about a previous comment he made suggesting that Trump ought to play the Frank Sinatra standard "New York, New York" at his campaign rallies, "because, you know, Donald comes from New York and he embodies New York values."

The moderators asked him to explain what he meant by that remark.

“Everyone understands the values in New York City are socially liberal, pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage and focus around money and the media,” Cruz replied.

He then reached into his debate-prep bag and brought out an interview Trump did with the late Tim Russert in which he explained his moderate views to the longtime "Meet the Press" host: "Look, I'm from New York. That's what we believe in New York."

Cruz then said, "I guess I can frame it another way. Not a lot conservatives come out of Manhattan."

A visibly peeved Trump then pointed out that William F. Buckley, the founder of the conservative magazine National Review, was from New York. He then pivoted to talking about the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in an effort to turn the tables on Cruz.

"I saw something that no place on Earth could have handled more beautifully, more humanly than New York," Trump said, to applause. "Everybody in the world watched and everybody in the world loved and I have to tell you that was a very insulting statement that Ted made," he said.